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EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2020 Malta nominations are now open!

Now in its fourth year, EY Entrepreneur of the year Malta was launched in 2017 with two objectives:

To promote entrepreneurship across the Maltese Islands

To empower entrepreneurs to grow their businesses both locally and around the world

The award is judged by an independent panel made of key figures from the business community.

Ambitious young entrepreneurs can apply too. The EY Rising Star Award will be presented to a contender running a high-growth business that is generating excitement in the market.

The local winners from both categories will be flown to Monaco in June 2020 to compete for the grand prize, the EY World Entrepreneur of the Year Award, an event that brings together national winners from more than 60 countries, selected from a pool of over 5,000 nominees.

The Entrepreneur of the Year Award was launched in the US in 1986 and has now spread to 165 cities in over 60 countries. It is the world’s biggest and most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs and the only one with a truly global dimension.

Entrepreneur of the Year Alumni include some of the most influential, innovative and exclusive entrepreneurs in the world; Guy Laliberté, the founder of Cirque de Soleil, Amazon founders Jeff Bezos and Reid Hoffman, Formula One’s Eddie Jordan, Google’s Sergey Brin and Larry Page and Haward Schultz of Starbucks to name a few.

Four simple steps to participating

Complete the nomination form and submit it by 15th February 2020. Time needed: 30 minutes

Entrepreneurs are selected for interview where they have the chance to tell their compelling story. The notes from this interview are added to the nomination form and the financial documents to make up the judges’ pack. Time needed: 45 minutes

Entrepreneurs deliver a presentation to the independent panel in early March where they tell their story and focus on what is special about them and their business. Time needed: 45 minutes

You attend the award ceremony on the 26th March 2020, culminating in the announcement of the winner of EY Entrepreneur of The Year Award, and the EY Rising Star Award

Terms and conditions of entry and rules

The entrepreneur should be the owner or hold a stake in the company and is responsible for the business growth over the past few years

The entrepreneur is an active member of the company management for at least two consecutive years (e.g. Executive Board, Management Board or Supervisory Board) and have a key influence on decision making

The entrepreneur must have deserving credit for business success of the proper company or the company the candidate works for, with at least 2 years in a managerial position continuously

The business must be headquartered or have its core operations in Malta (subsidiaries of foreign entities are sometimes allowed into the competition but need to be thoroughly examined and discussed)

The business must have been established for at least 2 years as of 1st January 2020

If the company is run by a management team, the maximum number of team members who can jointly be conferred the award is three

Benefits

Exclusive network: Entrepreneur Of The Year alumni represent some of the most influential, innovative and exclusive entrepreneurs in the world. Winners become part of this influential and exclusive community. They also gain access to investors, key business leaders, speaking engagements and media opportunities

Brand awareness: Just being nominated can elevate awareness of your company through exposure to other entrepreneurs, sponsors, judges and guests. The winners also benefit from significant awareness internationally which could drive the next phase of your company’s growth

Recognition: For contribution to the community, entrepreneurial sector and the national economy

Stronger relationships: Investors, customers and potential recruits take notice of award finalists and winners. Employee morale can be lifted across the organization

Past winners

2019

2018

2017

EY Entrepreneur of the Year Malta

2019

Mr David Darmanin CEO, Hotjar Ltd.

2018

Mr Angelo Xuereb Chairman, AX Holdings Ltd.

2017

Mr Alfred Pisani Chairman, Corinthia Group

EY Rising Star

2019

Mr Ben Remfrey Managing Director, Praedium Consulting Malta Ltd.

2018

Mr Shane Hunter Technical Director, AquaBioTech Group

2017

Mr David Vella Co-founder and CEO, Altaro Software

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Tips to get your application noticed

A strong, well-written nomination is powerful and compelling to the judges. Consider these points when completing the nomination form:

Tell your story: This is all about one of the most prestigious business awards in the country. Write your narrative in the third person. It is easier to be creative and expand on what you’ve done when you write from this perspective.

Understand the evaluation process: Focus on the criteria the judges look for.

Make it engaging: Your story should be truthful, vivid and engaging. Make it stand out.

Be concise: Keep the word count. Brevity is a virtue here.

Demonstrate results: You can’t measure dreams, but you can quantify growth. Use specific numbers, percentages and statistics.

Compare yourself to others: How do you stack up to the competition and differentiate yourself in the market? Convey those factors, remembering that judges may be unfamiliar with your industry.

Persuade: Convince the judges that they’re reading about a real winner. Be authentic. Be enthusiastic.

Polish and edit: Write it. Take a break. Then go back and read it with fresh eyes, changing what you need to make it shine.

Be on time: Nomination submissions are due with a firm deadline of the 15th February 2020 .

Hall of Fame

Find out who belongs to this global elite group, the World Entrepreneur of the Year

Official programme sponsors:

Official programme partners:

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients.